By: Felix Ikpotor
The Nigerian Army, on Monday, vowed to deal decisively with those behind the violence which characterised the February 23 presidential and national assembly elections in Abonnema, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
No fewer than 35 persons were reportedly killed in the violence which erupted during the elections in the area.
The Army’s fact-finding committee led by Maj. Gen. Taritimiye Gagariga disclosed this in Akuku-Toru LGA when the committee visited the area as part of its mission.
The committee exp;lained that its mission was aimed to get to the root of the crisis and not to cast aspersions on anyone.
Gagariga assured the people that justice would prevail and the military would apprehend and punish everyone involved in the violence.
He said “Be rest assured, no harm will be brought to anybody. The Nigerian Army has not come to cause any problems for you. We have our constitutional mandate in securing lives and property and supporting the police and civil authorities.
“We are here on a fact-finding mission; we are not here to throw any blame or cast aspersions on anyone. We are just here to find out the truth.”
He urged residents of the area to furnish the fact-finding committee with useful information without fear of intimidation in order to assist the team in unravelling the truth behind the violence.
“If you have any information for us, that will help us to unravel the circumstances, please let us know.
“I came with a team to investigate and look into the remote and immediate issues regarding the presidential election violence. I know some of you have lost brothers, husbands, fathers and colleagues; even the Nigerian Army lost its officers and soldiers who also have loved ones. May the souls of the departed rest in peace.”
On his part, the Amanyanabo of Abonnema, His Magesty Disrael Bob-Manuel, called on his subjects to remain calm, adding that those found guilty of perpetrating the violence would be punished.
“I need the youths to remain calm; I know that this incident that just happened is very saddening. Let the youths remain calm and continue to trust the military and I know that those who are guilty will definitely be punished.
“If the youths have any information, you can pass it on to me or to the fact-finding committee. I have been informed that those who give information towards the resolution of these issues will not be victimised.
“Those planning to still run away from Abonnema should change their minds, as the military is ever more determined to protect all in Abonnema.”
Bob-Manuel, however, condemned the actions of the military in breaking down his palace’s doors while searching for the murderers of military personnel, adding that whoever attacked his palace or any monarch’s palace had incurred spiritual consequences upon himself.
“The army was informed that one of their officers died and they started a search for the persons that could have done that, and in the process, the army went from house to house, looking for the culprits and the only way they could get into the houses, was to break down the doors,” he added.
